WO2020031177A1

WO2020031177A1 - A method and a system for controlling ringback tones

Info

Publication number: WO2020031177A1
Application number: PCT/IL2019/050881
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tzadok MOYAL
Original assignee: Moyal Tzadok
Priority date: 2018-08-07
Filing date: 2019-08-04
Publication date: 2020-02-13
Also published as: IL261026A

Abstract

The subject matter discloses a method for playing a personalized ringback tone (PRBT) in a telephone device while performing an outgoing telephone call to another telephone device. The method is performed by a server and comprises receiving a call initiation data from an agent installed on said telephone device, the call initiation data comprises a call status in the first telephone device and an identifier of the second telephone device. Playing the PRBT as long as the call status is "ringing" and terminating the PRBT when the call status changes according to a predefined set of rules.

Description

A METHOD AND A SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING RINGBACK TONES

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] The present disclosure relates to a ringback tone system, and further to a method and a system for controlling ringback tones played on telephonic devices of users during initiation of a telephone call.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[002] Billions of phone calls are made every day between people all over the world. Most of these calls are made with telephone devices, either landline or mobile. When a calling party operating a first telephonic device to initiate a telephone call to a second telephonic device of a called party, at least one Mobile Switching Centre (MSC) is responsible for routing the telephone call to the called party. If the called party is available and the call can be routed to their telephone device, then the calling party gets to hear a standard operator tone as the call session is established between them and the receiver. Once the called party receives the call, the standard operator tone is terminated and a call session is established for the call to take place. If the called party rejects the call, the standard operator tone is terminated and the calling party gets to hear a rejected standard dial tone. In some cases, the standard dial tone are played by the MSC to the telephone device.

[003] In some cases, telecommunication providers offer ringback tone (RBT) services to users while making a call. The RBT services that are currently available to users comprises: letting a user choose a ringback tone provided by the telecommunication company for playing on the telephone device of a party calling to that user during the initiation of the telephone call, instead of the standard dial tone. Currently, a ringback tone can be a tone, an audio file, a video file, and any other multimedia file the called party chooses. However, since the RBT services are offered by the telecommunication company, they are usually acompenied with payment of some sort and provide almost no control of the RBT service to the user.

[004] Addiaionally, although a RBT may be chosen by the called party to be emitted to the calling party, there is no current solution that allows the calling party to select the RBT to hear during the initiation of the call. In other words, the calling party has no control over what RBT which is being played while initiating a call additionally, an RBT system that will provide control to the users is yet to be introduced. Thus, there is a need for a system for managing and enabling both the calling party and the called party to decide for themselves or for people calling to them which RBT to hear.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[005] It is an object of the subkect matter to disclose a for playing a personalized ringback tone (PRBT) in a first telephone device while the first telephone device performs an outgoing telephone call to a second telephone device, said method is performed by a web server and comprises receiving a call initiation data from a PRBT manager installed on said first telephone device, the call initiation data comprises a call status in the first telephone device and an identifier of the second telephone device, verifying that the second telephone device is in the subscribers manager, identifying a PRBT configured by the second telephone device to be played on the first telephone device while the call status is“ringing”, transmitting a command to the first telephone device to play the PRBT while the call status is“ringing”, playing the identified PRBT on the first telephone device, monitoring the call status of the first telephone device and the second telephone device while playing the identified PRBT and terminating playing the identified PRBT when a change in the call status is detected in at least one of the first telephone device and the second telephone device.

[006] In some cases, the system preferences define that an incoming PRBT gains priority for marking to be played before an outgoing PRBT. In some cases, the personalized ringback tone may be chosen before the initiation of the call. In some cases, the method further comprises transmitting the PRBT from a server communicating with the PRBT manager to the first telephone device. The PRBT may be transmitted as a file or using streaming.

[007] In some cases, the command comprises an identifier of a multimedia file stored in the first telephone device. In some cases, the method further comprises verifying that the second telephone device is registered in the PRBT server.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[008] The invention may be more clearly understood upon reading of the following detailed description of non-limiting exemplary embodiments thereof, with reference to the following drawings, in which: [009] FIG. 1 discloses a high-level block diagram depicting a system for establishing a phone call in a cellular network between a first telephone device belongs to a calling party and a second telephone device belongs to a called party, according to according to known prior art systems;

[010] Fig. 2 discloses a high-level block diagram of a PRBT system, according to exemplary embodiments of the subject matter;

[011] Fig. 3 discloses a block diagram of a PRBT system, according to exemplary embodiments of the subject matter;

[012] Fig. 4 discloses a subscribers database, according to exemplary embodiments of the subject matter;

[013] Fig. 5 discloses a signaling diagram combining a cellular network and a PRBT system, according to exemplary embodiments of the subject matter; and

[014] FIG. 6 shows a flowchart illustrating a method for playing a PRBT on a telephone device by a PRBT system, according to exemplary embodiments the present invention.

[015] The following detailed description of embodiments of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings referred to above. Dimensions of components and features shown in the figures are chosen for convenience or clarity of presentation and are not necessarily shown to scale. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[016] Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below. In the interest of clarity, not all features/components of an actual implementation are' necessarily described.

[017] The term“telephone call initiation” or“outgoing call initiation”, as mentioned herein depicts a time frame from the moment an identifier, such as a phone number, was dialed in a telephone device preforms a telephone call to a called telephone device and until the moment the telephone call is received or rejected. The moment may be in a resolution of 0.01 seconds, 0.001 seconds, or as desired by a person skilled in tha art. The term“Personal Ring-Back Tone” or“PRBT” as mentioned herein depicts a multimedia file such as audio, video and text set to be played during the outgoing call initiation in the calling party’s electrical device the device may be a personal computer, laptop or tablet, in case the call is a voice-over-ip (VOIP) conversation, for example over Skype. In some cases, the PRBT may be played during the entire call initiation. In other cases, the PRBT may be played during some of the call initiation, for example, from the moment the device of the called party starts ringing. In some cases, a telephone device may be mobile computerized device designed and configured to perform telephone calls, send text messages, exchange data including media files, and the like.

[018] In some embodiments of the present invention, the telephone device may be designed with a call-status feature. The call-status feature may indicate the availability of the telephone device to participate in phone calls, wherein the availability status may be presented or sent to other servers and telephone devices. The call-status status may indicate to other servers or telephones that the telephone device is available to receive or to initiate phone calls, is currently participating in a call, or unavailable for phone calls. In some cases, some of the call-statuses may be“IDLE”,“OFFHOOK” and“RINGING”. The“IDEE” status may indicate that a telephone device is available to receive or make telephone calls. The“OFFHOOK” status may indicate that a telephone device is not available to receive or make telephone calls. The“RINGING” status may indicate that a telephone device is receiving a phone call that should be accepted or rejected. In some embodiments, additionall call statuses may be implemented.

[019] FIG. 1 discloses a high-level block diagram depicting a system for establishing a phone call in a cellular network between a first telephone device belongs to a calling party and a second telephone device belongs to a called party, according to known prior art devices. Fig. 1 shows a calling party 100 operating a first telephone device 105, and initiates a phone call to a called party 110 operating a second telephone device 115. In some cases, the first telephone device 105 can be configured to initiate a call upon receiving a phone number dialed to the first telephone device 105 by the calling party 100. During the call initiation, the first telephone device 105 is configured to communicate with a cellular network provider which the first telephone device is associated with. In some embodiments, the signals outputted from the first electronic device 105 may be sent to the cellular network provider through at least one cellular antenna 117 and to a first Mobile Switching Center (i.e. first MSC) 120, operated by a first cellular network provider 122. In some embodiments, the communication signals comprises a number associated with the second telephone device 115 of the called party 110, along with additional parameters required to initiate the phone call, such as access channel request, desired frequencies, and other parameters known to a person skilled in the art. The first telephone device 105 is configured to alter the call status thereof from“IDEE” to“OFFHOOK” when a phone call is initiated therefrom. One example of this alteration in the“Android” operation system is a change in the “CALL STATE” configuration from “CALL STATE IDLE” to “CALL STATE OFFHOOK”

[020] In some embodiments, the called party 110 may be a subscriber of a different cellular network provider. In such cases, the first MSC 120 may communicate with a second MSC 125 associated with a second cellular network 127 for communicating with the second telephone device 115 therethrough. In some cases, the first and second cellular networks providers 122 and 127 operate on different networks that lack direct communication. In such cases, in order for the first and second cellular networks providers 122 and 127 to communicate, the first MSC 120 and the second MSC 125 may be temporarily connected 123 in a wired or wireless manner. In other cases, both the calling party 100 and the called party 110 use the same cellular network provider on their telephone devices 105, 115. In such cases, the first MSC 120 communicates through the at least one cellular antenna with both the first telephone device 105 and the second telephone device 115. In some cases, each MSC is configured to detereminer whether a telephone device connected to the cellular network provider is available to receive a call based on a data stored thereon/ or based on data received through communication with the telephone device.

[021] In some exemplary cases, the calling party 100 dialing a number in the first telephone device 105, thus initiating an outgoing phone call to the second telephone device 115 associated with the called party 110. Upon dialing and sending a request to the MSC 120, the first telephone device 105 changes the call status thereof from“IDLE” to“OFFHOOK”. By analyzing the number sent from the first telephone device 105, the first MSC 120 determines that the second telephone device 115 number is associated with the second cellular network provider. Then, the first MSC 120 starts communication with the second MSC 125 associated with the second cellular network provider 127. The second MSC 125 determines that the second telephone device 115 is available for a phone call by checking the call status thereof. In some embodiments, if the status of the second telephone device 115 is“IDLE”, the second MSC 125 will communicate with the second telephone device 115 for changing the call status of the second telephone device 115 to“RINGING”. The“RINGING” status causes a ringing noise to be emitted from the second telephone device 115 and the ringing continues until a predetermined amount of time passes or if the called party 110 operates the second telephone device 115 for receiving or rejecting the call. When the called party 110 operates the second telephone device 115, to reveive a call, the second MSC 125 and the first MSC 120 establish a call session between the first and second telephone devices 105, 115. When the call session is established, the first and second telephone devices 105, 115 change the call statuses thereof to“OFFHOOK”, thus terminating the call initiation phase for the first telephone device.

[022] Fig. 2 discloses a high-level block diagram of a PRBT system, according to exemplary embodiments of the subject matter. Fig. 2 discloses a cellular network with a PRBT system 200. The PRBT system 200 comprising a PRBT server 205, and at least one PRBT manager 210 installed on a telephone device. In some embodiments, the PRBT managar 210 may be implemented as a computer program operating on a telephone device. In some embodiments, the PRBT manager 210 may utilize the telephone device 115 for gathering information located in the memory of the telephone device 115 or entered by a user to the telephone device 115. In some embodiments, the PRBT manager 210 may be configured for gathering a phone number entered into the telephone device 115 for initiating an outgoing phone call. The PRBT manager 210 is also configured to be constantly updated with the call status of the telephone device 115 having the PRBT manager 210. In some embodiments of the subject matter, the PRBT manager 210 is configured to exchange data the PRBT server 205 . In some embodiments, the PRBT server 205 and the PRBT manager 210 may be configured to communicate and to exchange data via telecommunications networks (such as TCP/IP or cellular networks).

[023] In some embodiments, the PRBT manager 210 is configured to have access to the speakers and microphone of the telephone device 115. In some embodiments, the PRBT manager 210 is configured to have access to a multimedia library located on the memory of the telephone device 115. In such cases, the PRBT manager 210 is configured to be enabled to add multimedia files, remove multimedia files, and to communicate multimedia files from the multimedia library located on the memory of the telephone device 115. In some embodiments, the PRBT manager 210 is further configured to play a multimedia file and override other applications operating on the telephone device 115. In some cases, the PRBT manager 210 is configured to receive a multimedia file to be played as a PRBT as a file, store the file in the memory of the telephone device 115, and to play the file. In some cases, the PRBT manager 210 is configured to stream the received multimedia content, not downloaded from the PRBT as a file. In some other cases, the PRBT manager 210 is configured to receive indication to play a multimedia file from the memory to the telephone device the PRBT manager 210 is installed on as a PRBT.

[024] The PRBT server 205 is a web server comprising an operating system configured to be in communication with at least one PRBT manager 210 installed on the telephone device 115. In some embodiments, the PRBT server 205 is configured to receive and store multimedia files and contact lists which may be uploaded to the PRBT server 205 by multiple users and operators of the PRBT system 200. In further embodimennts, the PRBT server 205 is configuered to receive PRBT configurations from users. In some cases, the PRBT configurations are inputted independently by each user, and are designed to instruct the PRBT system 200 with instructions about the PRBT each user desired for each of the his/her contacts. The PRBT server 205 is further configured to check in real time the call status of each telephone device operated by the PRBT manager 210.

[025] The PRBT server 205 is configured to receive and process call initiation data, which is received from at least one PRBT manager 210 operated on the telephone device 115. In some embodiments, the PRBT server 205 is configured to process the call initiation data to identify that the telephone device 115 operating the PRBT manager 210 has initiated a call and thus, requires a PRBT. In some embodiments, the PRBT server 205 may be configured to further utilize the processed data for identifying a multimedia file stored in the PRBT server 205 that should be used as the PRBT for telephone device 115 during the initiation of the outgoing call. In such cases, the PRBT server 205 may be configured to transmit the multimedia content, either as a stream or a file, to the telephone device 115 operating the PRBT manager 210 for playing as a PRBT. In other embodiments, the PRBT server 205 may be configured to stream a multimedia content through a communication channel to the PRBT manager 210. In additional embodimetns, the PRBT server may be configured to utilize the processed data to recognize that tha PRBT manager 210 comprises a certain multimedia file, and is further configured to transmit an instructions to the PRBT manager 210 to play the stored multimedia file as a PRBT.

[026] Fig. 3 discloses a block diagram of a PRBT server interacting with an electrical device configured to initiate a call, according to exemplary embodiments of the subject matter the electrical device may be a telephone device 305 operating a PRBT manager 310 and a PRBT server 320. The PRBT manager 310 is designed as a computer software application programmed and configured to gain access to and run operations on the telephone device 305 operating the PRBT manager 310. In some embodiments, the telephone device 305 operating the PRBT manager 310 further comprises a processor 311, a memory unit 312, a communication module 313 and a multimedia unit 314. The memory unit 312 which may be a computer-readable medium, is designed to receive and store information for use of computer programs. In some embodiments, the momory unit 312 comprises a multimedia library comprising multimedia files, and a contact list comprising phone numbers and details of contacts. In some embodiments, the communication module 313 is configured to transmit and receive phone calls and to create communication channels for exchanging data via TCP/EP communication. In some embodiments, the multimedia unit 314 may comprise a screen, microphone and speakers (not shown), enabling playing of multimedia files on the telephone device.

[027] In some embodiments, the PRBT manager 310 may be configured with access to the memory unit 312, for allowing the PRBT manager 310 to store multimedia files, delete multimedia files, upload therefrom multimedia files and to edit current multimeida files located thereon. Additionally, the PRBT manager 310 may further utilize the access to the memory unit 312 to receive contact information. The PRBT manager 310 may be configured with Additional access to the communication module 313, in order to create a communication channel with the PRBT server 320. The PRBT manager 310 is configured and allowed to read the call state of the telephone device 305 operating the PRBT manager 310, and additional parameters of the telephone device 305 such as the phone number, the cellular network provider information and the like. In some embodiments, the PRBT manager 310 may have permission to utilize the multimedia unit 314 of the telephone device 305 operating the PRBT manager 310. In some embodiments, the multimedia unit 314 is configured to be utilized by the PRBT manager 310 for creating multimedia files that will be stored in the memory unit 312.

[028] In some embodiments, the PRBT manager 310 is configured to exchange data with the PRBT server 320 over a communication chanel. In some embodiments, the PRBT manager 310 is configured to be operated by a user of the telephone device 305, for accessing the PRBT server 320. In some embodiments, accessing the PRBT server 320 enables a user to exchange multimedia files from the memory unit 312 of the telephone device 305 to the PRBT server 320. The PRBT manager 310 is further configured to allow a user to edit multimedia files with the PRBT server 320. In such cases, the PRBT server 205 is configured to provide editing tools, which are configured to enable a user to edit multimedia files located either on the memory unit 312 of the telephone device or on the PRBT server 320. In some embodiments, the PRBT manager 310 is configured to synchronize the contact list stored in the memory unit 312 with the PRBT server 320. In some embodiments, the PRBT manager 310 is configured to exchange or synchronize data with the PRBT server 320 on a timely schedule. For example: the PRBT manager 310 may exhange data or synchronize the data with the PRBT server 320 once or twice a day. In other embodiments, the PRBT manager 310 is configured to exchange data with the PRBT server on demand, whenever the PRBT manager 310 requires. In some cases, the PRBT manager 310 is configured to synchronize at least a portion of the memory unit 312 of the telephone device 305 with the PRBT server 320 whenever the telephone device 305 is online.

[029] The PRBT manager 310 is configured to monitor the call state of the telephone device oprating the PRBT manager 310. The PRBT manager 310 is further configured to identify when the call state of the phone is changing, for example, from“IDLE” to“OFFHOOK”, and to update the PRBT server 320 about the change. In other cases, the PRBT manager 310 is configured to receive instructions from the PRBT server 320 to play a multimedia file from the memory unit 312 on the multimedia unit 314 during the outgoing call initiation. The PRBT manager 310 is configured to terminate the playing of the multimedia file on the multimedia unit 314 when the call is received by the called party, rejected by the called party or that a predefined amount of time has passed. In some embodiments, the PRBT manager 310 is configured to terminate the call when the call status of the telephone device 305 changes again, for example, from“OFFHOOK” to“IDFE”.

[030] The PRBT server 320 is designed to serve as a remote server, which communicates and exchanges data with PRBT manager 310 operated on computerized deivces. Additionally, the PRBT server 320 is configured to choose a multimedia device that will serve as a PRBT for each outgoing phone call. In some embodiments, the PRBT server 320 comprises a processor 321, a memory unit 322, a communication module 323 and a managing module 324. The managing module 324 comprises a multimedia manager 325 and a subscribers manager 326, which may be designed as computer software applications programmed and configured to operate on the processor 321 of the PRBT server 320. The PRBT server 320 is configured to store in the memory unit 322 thereof a multimedia library and a subscribers database, where the multimedia library is configured to be managed by the multimedia manager 325 and the subscribers database is configured to be managed by the subscribers manager 326. The multimedia manager 325 is configured to receive and store multimedia files from telephone devices, edit multimedia files and stream multimedia files to telephone devices operating a PRBT manager 310. In some embodiments, the multimedia files comprising sound files, for example in MP3 or WMP format and the like, videos in MPEG or AVI formats and the like, texts, Gif pictures and the like. In some embodiments, users may upload multimedia files to the PRBT server 320 from telephone devices operating a PRBT manager or from other computerized devices having access to the PRBT server 320. In further embodiments, users may download multimedia files from the PBRT server 320 to telephone devices operating PRBT managers. In further embodiments, users of the PRBT server 320 may edit multimedia files located on the PRBT server 320. In such cases, the editing may include applying filters, adding elements, changing the length, enhancing volume and brightness and any other multimedia editing function known to a person having ordinary skill in the art.

[031] In some embodiments, users may define a multimedia file stored in the multimedia library of the PRBT server 320 with a contact stored in the contact list of the PRBT server 320. In some embodiments, each multimedia file stored in the multimedia library of the PRBT server 320 is assigned with a multimedia ID number. In such cases, the multimedia files on the PRBT server 320 may be assigned to contacts through the ID numbers thereof. In some embodiments, the PRBT manager 310 operated on the telephone device 305 is configured to gain access to and operate the multimedia library stored on the PRBT server 320. Examples for operations that may be made in the multimedia library comprises: browsing through the multimedia files that are stored therein by categories such as genre, popularity, and the like, assigning a multimedia file to a contact , adding a multimedia file created by the user to the multimedia library and the like.

[032] The subscribers manager 326 is configured to be operated by the processor 321.

Additionally, the subscribers manager 326 is configured to operate and manage the subscribers database stored in the memory unit 322 of the PRBT server 320. In some embodiments, the subscribers database is designed to comprise a list of users of the PRBT system 300. In some embodiments, each user in the subscribers database comprises at least one phone number, associated with the telephone device thereof. In some embodiments, each user in the subscribers database is represented by a user identifier. Each user in the subscribers database further comprises at least one contact associated with the user, and the at least one contact is stored in the contact list of the user. The contact list of each user comprises the user numbers, and thus the phone numbers, of all the contacts the user has updated in the PRBT server 320. In further embodiments, the contacts of the user are automatically synchronized with the memory unit 322 of the PRBT server 320 through the PRBT manager 310 operated on the telephone device 305.

[033] In some embodiments, the subscribers manager 326 is designed to enable a user to assign multimedia files to the contacts thereof presented in the contact list stored in the subscribers database on the PRBT server 320. In some cases, the user may assign multimedia files by the multimedia IDs of the multimedia files. For example, a user may operate the subscribers manager 326 for assigning multimedia file, which will serve as a PRBT for each contact in the contact list thereof stored on PRBT server 320. In some embodiments, a single multimedia file may be assigned as a PRBT for more than one contact. In some embodiments, the subscribers manager 326 may be configured to assign a single PRBT to a group of contacts, or to specific contacts which fit certain terms, such as work contacts, family contacts and the like.

[034] In some embodiments, the subscribers manager 326 is designed to configure settings for multimedia files assigned to one or more contacts. In some embodiments, the settings configured for multimedia files may include, for example, hours in which the multimedia file should not be played, automatic play of a multimedia file when receiving a call from a certain country, and the like. In further embodiments, the subscribers manager 326 is designed to assign a multimedia file to be played to a contact when the contact calls the user (or incoming multimedia ID), and a multimedia file to be played to the user when the user receives a call from that contact (or outgoing multimedia

ID).

[035] The PRBT server 320 is configured to receive a call status from the PRBT manager

310 through the communication module 323 . In some embodiments, the call status is received when the call status of the telephone devices changes, for example, from“IDLE” to“OFFHOOK”. The PRBT server 320 is further configured to receive the call initiation data provided by the PRBT manager 310 operated on the telephone device 305. In some cases, the call initiation data comprises the phone number of called telephone device.

[036] The PRBT server is configured to play a multimedia file during outgoing call initiation between the calling telephone device and the called telephone device to at least one of the parties. In some embodiments, the PRBT server 320 is configured to precess the call initiation data and to check if the phone number of the called telephone device is located in the subscribers database by using the subscribers manager 326. The PRBT server 320 is further configured to check if the called device has configured an incoming multimedia ID for the calling device through the subscribers manager 326 thereof. In such cases, the PRBT server 320 will play the incoming multimedia ID the called telephone device configured for the calling telephone device through the PRBT manager 310 on the telephone device of the calling user. In other embodiments, if the called user did not configure an incoming multimedia ID for the calling party’s phone number, the PRBT server 320 is configured to check if the calling user has configured an outgoing multimedia ID for the called user. In such cases, the PRBT server 320 will play the outgoing multimedia ID the calling user has configured for the called user through the PRBT manager 310 on the telephone device of the calling user. [037] Fig. 4 discloses a subscribers database, according to exemplary embodiments of the subject matter. Fig. 4 shows an examplry subscribers database 400 that is stored in a memory unit of the PRBT server. In some embodiments, the subscribers database 400 comprises a list of all the users that are allowed to use the PRBT system. In some embodiments, each user in the subscribers database 400 is assigned with one telephone number of a telephone device belonging to that user. In other embodiments, each user may be assigned with more than one phone number. In some embodiments, each user is further associated with multimedia list. The multimedia list comprises a list of all the multimedia ID’s associated with that user. In some cases, the multimedia list of each user comprises songs that were purchased from the multimedia library stored on the PRBT server and multimedia files uploaded by the user to the multimedia library. In some embodiments, the multimedia list further comprises the multimedia ID’s of the multimedia files stored by the PRBT manager in the memory unit of the telephone device.

[038] In some embodiments, each subscriber in the subscribers database 400, further comprises a contact list. The contact list may be received from the PRBT manager operated on the telephone device of the user or uploaded manually to the PRBT server. In some cases, each one of the contacts in the contact list is associated with an incoming multimedia ID and an outgoing multimedia ID. The incoming multimedia ID is the multimedia file that a user choose to be played or presented on the contact’s telephone device instead of the standard operator tone when the contact is calling to the user. The outgoing multimedia ID is the multimedia file that a user choose to be played or presented on the users telephone device instead of the standard operator tone when the user is calling to that contact. In some cases, when a user has configured an outgoing multimedia ID and a contact has configured an incoming multimedia ID, the PRBT server is configured to choose one of the multimedia IDs to play in accordance with configurations sotred thereon by an operator. In some cases, the multimedia ID gets preference on the outgoing multimedia ID.

[039] Fig. 5 discloses a signaling diagram combining a cellular network and a PRBT system, according to exemplary embodiments of the subject matter. In step 501, the signaling begins with the calling telephone device generating a call. The call is generated by routing the call request from the telephone device of the calling user to the cellular network provider thereof. In some cases, the call is routed through a first Mobile Switching Center (MSC) but may be routed by other devices used to route phone calls. Concurrently, a PRBT manager operated on the calling party telephone device communicates with a PRBT server, as disclosed in step 502. In some embodiments, the communication comprises a call initiation data, comprising a call status of the calling party and the called telephone device phone number. The PRBT server receives the initation call data and process the data. The processing of the data made by the PRBT server comprises checking if the called phone number is enlisted in the subscribers database, if the calling user has configured the called user as a contact, if the calling user has configured a PRBT for the called party, and if the called user has configured a PRBT for the calling user, as disclosed in step 503.

[040] In step 504, the first MSC communicated with a second MSC, or any other devices used by the cellular network provider of the called telephone device. In some cases, the communication is made to check the call status of the called party telephone device in the second MSC. Concurrently, the PRBT server checks the call status of the called party telephone device, as disclosed in step 505. The PRBT server identified that a call is initiated and start to play the appropriate multimedia ID as a PRBT through the PRBT manager stored in the calling party’s telephone device, as shown in step 506. The playing of the multimedia file continues until the call is received by the called party, until the called party reject the call, or that a predetermined of time has lapsed. As shown in step 507, the called user receives the call. When the second MSC notifies the first MSC that the called telephone device received the call, both MSCs establishe a call session between the parties.

[041] FIG. 6 shows a flowchart illustrating a method for playing a PRBT on a telephone device by a PRBT system, according to exemplary embodiments the present invention. In step 605, a PRBT Manager operated on a telephone device recognizes a change in a call status of the telephone device. In some cases, the call status is identified by the PRBT manager, which is granted authorization to access telephone device data and to access stored data located on a memory unit of the telephone device. The telephone device data may comprise details about the cellular network provider and the call status of the phone. Examples for telephone device data comprises the phone number of the telephone device, the current cellular network information, the status of any ongoing calls and the like.

[042] In step 610, The PRBT manager transmits a call initiation data to the PRBT server. In some embodiments, the PRBT manager operated on the telephone device of the calling telephone device starts a communication channel with the PRBT server, and tramsmits call initiation data comprising the call status of the telephone device initiating the call and the phone number of the called telephone device . In step 615, the PRBT server may check that the phone number of the telephone device of the called telephone device is associated with a user stored in the subscribers database of the PRBT server. In further embodiments, the subscriber manager of the PRBT server checks if the telephone device of the called telephone device is associated with a contact stored in the subscribers database of the PRBT server. In some embodiments, a user in the subscribers database may also be a contact of a different user in the subscribers database. In step 620, the PRBT server checks whether an incoming PRBT is configured for the called telephone device . In some cases, the called telephone device has configured an incoming PRBT for the calling telephone device through a PRBT manager thereof. The configuration was made by associating a multimedia ID from the multimedia library of the PRBT server or the multimedia list of the user in the subscribers database as an incoming PRBT for the calling telephone device . The multimedia may be extracted from a link. In some cases, the PRBT server may check if any additional configurations were defined for the calling telephone device by the called telephone device . An example for additional configurations may be to play a PRBT to the calling user only between 12: 00 and 15 : 00 on Saturdays. In such cases, if the terms of the additional configurations are met, then the PRBT server will select the multimedia ID in accordance with the additional configurations.

[043] In step 625, the PRBT server checks whether an outgoing PRBT is configured for the calling telephone device. In some cases, the user of the called telephone devicehas configured an outgoing PRBT to be played in the calling telephone device via the PRBT manager thereof by configuring a selected multimedia ID as an outgoing PRBT for the called telephone device . In some cases, the configuration is stored in the subscribers database of the PRBT server. In some embodiments, the PRBT server then selects the configured multimedia ID stored therein. In some cases, the PRBT server may check if any additional configurations are defined for the calling telephone device by the called telephone devicehas, as explained above. In such cases, the PRBT server may follow the additional configuration and select a different multimedia ID.

[044] At step 630 the PRBT server marks a multimedia ID for playing through the PRBT manager to the telephone device of the calling telephone device . In some cases, only the called telephone device has configured a multimedia ID as an incoming PRBT, and thus that multimedia ID is marked for playing. In other embodiments, only the calling telephone device has configured a multimedia ID as an outgoing PRBT, and thus that multimedia ID is marked for playing. In some embodiments, the called telephone device has configured a multimedia ID as an incoming PRBT and the calling telephone device has configured a multimedia ID as an outgoing PRBT for the called telephone device . In such cases, the multimedia ID is marked for playing to the calling telephone device in accordance with the rules stored on the PRBT server. In some embodiments, the rules may indicate the a selected incoming PRBT having a priority over an outgoing PRBT. Thus, the PRBT server marks the multimedia ID selected for incoming PRBT by the called telephone device for playing.

[045] At steps 635 and 640 the PRBT system plays the marked multimedia file corresponding to the multimedia ID on the telephone device of the called telephone device . In step 635, the PRBT server streams the multimedia file through the PRBT manager operated on the telephone device of the calling telephone device . In such cases, the telephone device of the calling telephone device does not need to store any multimedia file on the memory unit of the telephone device the streaming of the multimedia file occurs in accordance with the configurations that may be determined by the calling telephone device . In step 640, and in accordance with some embodiments, the PRBT manager is configured to store in the memory unit of the telephone device the PRBT is operated on, all the multimedia files that are associated with the calling telephone device number (i.e. all the multimedia IDs that were assigned to that number as a contact in the subscibers database) . In such cases, the PRBT manager is configured to request at a predetermined time, such as once per day, all the multimedia files that subscribers have configured as incoming PRBT for the calling telephone device . Thus, instead streaming the multimedia file to the calling telephone device , the PRBT server sends a signal to the PRBT manager to start playing the marked multimedia file from the memory unit of the telephone device of the calling telephone device .

[046] At step 645, the PRBT manager recognizes another change in the call status of the telephone device the PRBT manager operates on, and sends the new call status to the PRBT server. In some cases, the call status may be changed to identify that the telephone device is participating in a call. In other cases, the call status may be changed to“IDLE”, thus indicating that the called telephone device has rejected the call in yet other cases, the calling telephone device itself may terminate the call and the call status returns to“IDLE”. When the PRBT manager recognizes that the call status has changed, the PRBT manager sends a notification to the PRBT server. [047] At step 650, the PRBT server instruct the PRBT manager to terminate the playing of the multimedia file or terminates the streaming of the PRBT to the telephone device of the calling telephone device .

[048] While the disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosed subject matter not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but only by the claims that follow.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A method for playing a personalized ringback tone (PRBT) in a first telephone device while the first telephone device performs an outgoing telephone call to a second telephone device, said method is performed by a web server and comprises:

receiving a call initiation data from a PRBT manager installed on said first telephone device, the call initiation data comprises a call status in the first telephone device and an identifier of the second telephone device;

verifying that the second telephone device is in the subscribers manager;

identifying a PRBT configured by the second telephone device to be played on the first telephone device while the call status is“ringing”;

transmitting a command to the first telephone device to play the PRBT while the call status is“ringing”;

playing the identified PRBT on the first telephone device;

monitoring the call status of the first telephone device and the second telephone device while playing the identified PRBT;

terminating playing the identified PRBT when a change in the call status is detected in at least one of the first telephone device and the second telephone device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the system preferences define that an incoming PRBT gains priority for marking to be played before an outgoing PRBT.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the personalized ringback tone may be chosen before the initiation of the call.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprises transmitting the PRBT from a server communicating with the PRBT manager to the first telephone device.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein transmitting the PRBT as a file.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein transmitting the PRBT using streaming.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the command comprises an identifier of a multimedia file stored in the first telephone device.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprises verifying that the second telephone device is registered in the PRBT server.